EDITORIAL:Recognition is telling for school and district

Kurt Suhr has done a lot in three years as principal of Newport Heights Elementary School. The latest proof of his success is his being awarded the Orange County Department of Education’s Outstanding Contributions to Education Award. It is a reward all who know him agree he richly deserves.

Suhr took over a troubled school, one full of rancor following the departure of its previous principal, Judith Chambers, who ended up suing three district officials and several Newport Heights parents.

Many, if not most, of the school’s parents were upset — and far beyond the typical low-hum rankle that can pervade a campus. Newport Heights was a school in deep need of fixing.

Enter Suhr, who since taking over has turned the school around. Parents are involved and engaged. The school has put in place a “technology plan” and added hand-held computers to the classroom. Suhr has won plaudits for also emphasizing the arts. “If he has a program and it’s part of his vision, he helps support it and nurtures the program,” parent Gail Standt told the Pilot. “Obviously, he can’t do it alone, but everyone’s willing to support him because they know their efforts will pay off.”

That kind of team-building is exactly what Newport Heights needed. District officials who recognized Suhr’s talents three years ago deserve applause for such a bright decision.

Suhr certainly has earned his honors. But we also realize that he, in many ways, just happens to be the educator who is getting extra attention. There are teachers and administrators (not to mention other nonclassroom workers) throughout the district who are doing as much good and producing similar results. Any and all of them also would be fine nominees for the county award.

And that says volumes about the schools our children are attending.